Inside military hospital where soldiers receive top treatment

Defence Forces Wellness Centre. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Lieutenant Colonel Obadia Yator took The Sunday Standard crew through a guarded tour of the facility.

From the outpatient section, Mental Health Unit, hearing, visual and orthopaedic department, the physiotherapy section all through to the occupational therapy department, the facility is a lifeline to gallant soldiers.

The beautiful landscape and green lawns with pathway edges marked with defence forces colours welcome you to the facility.

The tranquillity therein, Yator said, is meant to aid in the quick recovery of the soldiers.

Our first stop is at the Mental Health Unit where depression, bipolar, and post-traumatic stress disorder are managed.

At the reception, are indoor games that patients engage in to beat boredom.

Physiotherapist Benson Mwalimu shows how the Quadriciser robotic therapy system works. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Yator dismissed claims that soldiers who confess to having mental distress are dismissed from the forces. "We use professionalism and maintain confidentiality. We reassure the patient that what we discuss remains between us before we start the session. And if there is anything to should share with their commanders' soldiers are informed first. But this is only for administrative help," Yator said.

The hospital has eight departments specifically built and equipped to address soldiers' needs. Yator explained that soldiers hurt while on duty, are recuperated and retrained and posted in stations where they fit.

Warrant Officer Class Two (WOII) James Kamau, an orthopaedic technologist, has perfected the art of making prosthetic limbs and orthotics appliances.

"We get referrals from consultants. We custom make those appliances for them, fabricate them for soldiers and their legal dependants," said Kamau, who is also the Head of Department Orthopedic Department DFWC.

Physiotherapist Captain Eugene Makokha. [David Gichuru, Standard]

He said that having machinery and types of equipment to produce orthopaedic appliances has been a relief to the defence forces as most soldiers get assistive aids without delays.

Captain Eugene Makokha, a physiotherapist said they deal with injuries and patients recovering from neurological issues. "In physical rehabilitation, you might not retrieve former functions as it were, but we try to give our best so that the patient or soldier can go back to their duties," he said.

Yator says soldiers who are unable to go back to their normal function are compensated if they cannot be retrained for other posts. "When injured in the line of duty, an assessment is done, and compensation done. We have insurance, and facilities where we provide medical care even after retiring, even those who are still serving to get compensated," he said.

Yator said the hospital has set aside a family day every end month, where the sick get to freely interact with their loved ones.